Sorting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sorting apparatus having a support structure, three containers, and a sorting mechanism. The sorting mechanism comprises two rotatable partitions as well as three fixed partitions thereby providing the capability of selectively directing a device to be sorted along one of three paths in response to a signal.

O Unlted States Patent 1151 3,661,255 Toth 1451 May 9, 1972 1541 SORTING APPARATUS 2,591,047 4 1952 Burge ..209/81 x [72] Inventor: Juhn E. Toth, San Diego, Calif. 3,265,208 8/1966 Remker v ..209/74 X [73] Assignee: Delta Design, Inc., La Mesa, Calif. m y E-Yamin8rRiCh8rd A- h r AttorneyBeehler & Arant [22] Filed: Feb. 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 7,534 ABSTRACT A sorting apparatus having a suppon structure, three containers, and a sorting mechanism. The sorting mechanism [52] U.S. Cl ..209/74 Comprises two rotatable partitions as we as three fixed pani [51] "8 3/02 tions thereby providing the capability of selectively directing a [58] Field of Search ..209/74, 8|; 214/1 1 device to be Sorted, along one f three paths i response to a signal. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 2,234,456 3 1941 Schaurte ..209/8l x ,5 .eJz

PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 SHEET 2 BF 2 lA/Vf/VTOR Irma/vim" son'rmo APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a sorting apparatus and more particularly to a three-bin sorting apparatus suitable for rapid separation of small devices.

2. Description of the Prior Art Over the last few decades there has been rapid technical advances made in the electronic component field toward miniaturization. For example, the integrated circuit, which may be defined as a device consisting of a number of circuit elements inseparably associated on or within a continuous body to perform the function of a circuit, has been developed to such an extent that its physical size is quite small. At the same time, techniques have been developed so that these components can be produced in a large number on an assembly line basis.

The rapid production of such devices has given rise to peripheral equipment necessary in quality production of LC. devices which is compatible with a high rate of production. One such piece of equipment is an integrated circuit testing apparatus; such an apparatus electronically tests the various characteristics which an LC. device is to have. As an example, testing may determine whether the LC. device passes, fails, or is retained for retesting. In order to complete the high production rate system, it was found necessary to have a sorting device with a three sort speed capability compatible with the system to which it is connected so as to allow the system to operate at optimum efiiciency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is just such a compatible sorting apparatus and comprises a support structure; a plurality of containers removably supported by said support structure, said containers for receiving sorted product groups; an enclosure in communication with said support structure having one end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having another end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into sorted groups; a partition operative with said enclosure for providing paths within said enclosure, at least a portion of said partition being movable in response to a signal for directing said product to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving said partition in response thereto whereby the product that causes the signal is sorted into one of said containers.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sorting apparatus which is inexpensive, reliable, and has high speed sorting capabilities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sorting apparatus which has a low power requirement and yet effectively handles a high production rate input with a minimum of mechanical movement.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sorting apparatus which may be automatically or manually activated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ing another position of the sorting mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating still another position of the sorting mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container in which sorted products are collected.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a sorting spparatus 10 comprising a support structure 12 upon which is mounted a housing 14 and three containers 16, I8, and 20. An input chute 22 delivers a product to be sorted, such as l.C. devices, serially to the enclosure 24 within the housing 14 where sorting occurs. During sorting the devices are selectively directed to one of the three containers 16, 18, or 20.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the input chute 22 is mounted to a top side 26 of he housing 14 so as to communicate with an opening 28 in the side 26 whereby devices to be sorted may be gravit fed to the enclosure 24. In usual arrangement, the side 26 will be at the highest vertical position of the housing 14 so that the devices to be sorted pass through the housing under the influence of gravity so as to require no other motive force. Opposite the side 26, the housing comprises three openings 32, 34, and 36, best seen in FIG. 1, for allowing the devices to communicate with one of the three containers depending upon the way in which each is sorted. The housing has four additional sides, opposite side walls 38 and 40, a back panel 42, and a transparent front panel 44, which may be of clear plastic or glass. The boundaries just mentioned for the housing 14 encompass the enclosure 24.

The sides 26, 38, 40, and 42 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as sheet metal, and may be formed in other shapes than the generally six-sided geometric shape illustrated without detracting from the invention herein. For example, the side walls 38 and 40, the top side 26, and the transparent front panel 44 may be deleted for purposes of the invention herein, since the general regions designated by the term enclosure 24 would still exist. Nevertheless, when an LC. device is to be sorted, it is desirable to have a fully enclosed housing to insure cleanliness and a degree of temperature stability since I.C. devices are generally sensitive to dirt and temperature variations.

Dividing the enclosure 24 into selectively alternative paths are two sets of partitions, which, in turn, are divided in portions comprising three fixed partitions 50, 52, and 54 and two rotatable partitions 56 and 58. The partitions may be made of any suitable material, such as a thin-gauged stainless steel strip or other metal or of a synthetic resin material, depending upon convenience of manufacture. The fixed partitions 50 and 52 are connected to the bottom portion of the housing 14, while the fixed partition 54 is connected to the back panel 42.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there are shown two rotary solenoids 60 and 62, which are connected to the back panel 42 by threaded fasteners. The rotary solenoids 60 and 62 connect to shafts 64 and 66 respectively, FIG. 2, extending within the enclosure 24 and are supported at their extended ends by the transparent panel 44. The movable partitions 56 and 58 are each comprised of two extending arms, such as arms 70 and 72 of partition 56 and arms 74 and 76 of partition 58. In addition, each partition includes a bushing, such as bushing 78 of partition 56 and bushing 80 of partition 58, which are fitted respectively about the shafts 66 and 64. In turn, the arms 70 and 72 are connected to the bushing 78 so that rotation of the shaft 66 causes rotation of the arms 70 and 72 about a line coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 66. In a similar fashion, the am 74 and 76 are connected to the bushing 80 so that rotation of the shaft 64 causes rotation of the arms 74 and 76 about a line coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 64.

In the embodiment shown, the sorting apparatus is capable of providing three alternative paths through the enclosure 24 depending upon the signals which are transmitted from either an automatic signal source 90, FIG. 3, or a manual signal source 92 to the solenoids 60 and 62. By way of example, the automatic signal source may be generated by a piece of equipment which tests the electrical characteristics of an LC. device and may be programmed to signal whether the tested component has passed, failed, or should be retested. In a similar fashion a component may be tested with the test results being made available to an operator of the sorter who then manipulates the manual signal source 92 to generate the appropriate sorting signal. It is to be understood that the three categories of passed, failed, and retest are not to be considered limiting, as other groupings may be desired, such as based on a reliability gradation or the quality of characteristics reproduction gradation or the like.

For purposes of explanation, it will be assumed that the sorting apparatus will be used to separate I.C. components in the three categories or groupings, pass, fail, and retest. The particular container chosen to receive each of the groupings is arbitrary; though from an economy of operation standpoint, it may be desired to have the passed LC. components grouped in the container 18. The failed components may then arbitrarily be assigned in the container 16, and the retest components the container 20. The solenoids 60 and 62 reside in one of two modes, at rest or energized. Since the at rest mode requires no power and since it is assumed that there will be a great many more passed components than fail or retest components, the rotatable partitions 56 and 58 are set, as shown in FIG. 2, so that passed components generate a signal which requires no movement on the part of the solenoids; a component entering the chute 22 will drop along a path defined between the movable partition 56 and fixed partition 50 as one boundary and the fixed partition 54, the movable partition 58, and the fixed partition 52 as the other boundary. The component will continue through the opening 34 into the container 18.

Should a component be in a failed condition, a signal will be generated by the testing instrument or by an operator to energize the solenoid 62 causing a rotation of the partition 56 from its first position, shown in FIG. 2, to its second position, shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the component which enters the input chute 22 falls upon the extended arm 70, slides down the arm 70 to the arm 72, and then drops the remainder of the way through the opening 32 to the container 16. The path defined by a fail condition. has the wall 38 as one boundary and the rotatable partition 56 and the fixed partition 50 as the second boundary. In a like fashion, should the testing instrument indicate a retest, then the instrument would automatically signal or an operator would manually energize the solenoid 60 which would cause the rotatable partition 58 to move from its first position, shown in FIG. 2, to its second position, shown in FIG. 5. Thus, a product falling through the chute 22 would first make contact with the extended arm 74, slide down the ex tended arm 74 to the arm 76, and then proceed to drop through the opening 36 into the container 20. Thus, the path formed has the rotatable partition 56, the rotatable partition 58, and the fixed partition 52 as one boundary, and the fixed partition 54 and a portion of the side wall 40 as the second boundary. The shafts 64 and 66 of the solenoids are biased with springs (not shown) so that after a predetermined time period sufficient to allow a tested component to traverse the housing '14, the appropriate solenoid is de-energized causing the corresponding shaft and thereby rotatable partition to return to its first position as shown in FIG. 2. Hence, when operating in the manner just described, the only time the solenoids 60 or 62 are energized is when there is a fail or retest component, and only one or the other of the solenoids are energized at a time.

As already mentioned, it is understood that another variation of operation could be provided simply by reprogramming the automatic signal source or by designating different containers for manual operation. For example, it may be desirable to have a different variation if the tested components are par ticularly sensitive to impact or shock so that it is undesirable to have a component drop from the chute 22 to the bottom of the container 18 without some mechanism for interrupting the fall. As already apparent, the rotatable partitions 56 and 58 are uniquely designed so that each partition has two arms; one of the arms of each partition, such as arms 70 and 74, is longer than their respective corresponding arms 72 and 76. The reason for the length of the arms 70 and 74 is simply to create the appropriate path for directing a tested component in the appropriate direction. However, the existence of the shorter arms 72 and 76 connected to the longer arms 70 and 74, respectively, at an obtuse angle of about 150 are to provide a mechanism for slowing the acceleration of the dropping component to prevent damage upon impact with the container. Thus, referring again to FIG. 4, a component which impacts on the arm 70 will slide along the incline surface made by the arm which is disposed rather steeply at a relatively small angle from the vertical (the vertical is parallel to the direction of the walls 38 and 40 of the housing 14). The component will then continue sliding onto the shorter arm 72 which is at a larger angle from the vertical causing the component to slow its rate of acceleration before dropping toward the opening 32. In a similar manner, the rotatable partition 58 has a long arm 74 and a short arm 76 disposed at an angle of about l50 to achieve the same function of slowing the rate of acceleration of a falling component and thereby prevent impact damage.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated one of the con tainers such as the container 16 which comprises a base 100, four integral side walls 102, 104, 106, and 108, which are also integral with the base 100, and an integral handle 110, which extends from the wall 108. The container 16 may be made of any suitable material, such as a synthetic resin, where all of the parts, the base, the four side walls, and the handle, are molded as a unitary element. It is understood that various shapes of containers may be used and may even take the form of chutes provided beneath the openings 32, 34, and 36 which receive and group sorted components in sequence or which communicate the falling component or other product to a bin or other material-handling device, such as a conveyor belt, to contain and transport the component to the next production station.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, the support structure 12 comprises two side panels and 122, a container support member 124, and an interior frame member 126 to which the container support member 124 and the housing 14 are connected. The side panels 120 and 122 each have a longitudinally extending slot such as slot 128 (the only slot shown) in panel 120 in which three threaded fasteners 130, 132, and 134 extend to connect to the interior frame member 126. The slots allow the interior frame member 126, the container support member 124, and the housing 14 to be moved in a vertical direction relative the side panel 120 and 122 so that the height of the sorting apparatus is adjustable to enable integration of the sorting apparatus with other equipment. Once the desired vertical height is established, the threaded fasteners are tightened.

An on-off switch 136, an indicator light 138, and a fuse are provided and are connected to the container support member 124 to facilitate convenient operation of the sorting apparatus.

A manual signal source 920 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is connected to the solenoids by an electrical conduit 142. An operator presses one of the three buttons to direct a tested component. The signal source 92a is also constructed so that an electrical conduit (not shown) from a testing apparatus may be directly connected so as to operate in the automatic mode described above.

As already mentioned, the particular shapes, sizes, and forms of the embodiment shown is not to be considered limiting the invention in any way, since it is obvious that various modifications can be made to the sorting apparatus without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed; for example, the containers 16, 18, and 20 may be of any suitable and convenient shape and design, as can the support structure 12, to suit the needs of a particular user or to suit dimensional restrictions. Additionally, the enclosure 14 need not completely enclose the partitions, nor need there be a transparent front panel as was described. In a like manner other changes may be made.

I claim:

1. A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sort ing said product into predetennined sorted product groups comprising:

a support structure a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups; said enclosure comprising opposite spaced parallel walls having inside plane surfaces and side edge walls between said spaced parallel walls;

mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions having opposite edges parallel to and adjacent the respective inside plane surfaces, said partitions being operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said partitions, said spaced parallel walls and said side edge walls together forming said paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to a signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and

means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto,

whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers,

said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths.

2. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electric actuated members comprise a rotary solenoid mounted on one of said opposite spaced parallel walls and a shaft on the solenoid extending from the respective spaced parallel wall into operative engagement with said axial portion.

3. A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising:

a support structure;

a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure,

an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups,

mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to a signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and

means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto,

whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers,

said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending. radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths,

said movable partitions each comprising a bushing and two extending arms each connected to said bushing, said arms having side faces receptive to said product disposed at an obtuse angle from one another whereby to change the direction of movement of said product while passing in engagement with said movable partition. 4. A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising:

a support structure;

a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure;

an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups,

mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to a signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and

means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto,

whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths,

said support structure and supporting means for said containers being connected together as a unit, and a vertically movable and tiltable adjustable connection between said support structure and said supporting means for changing the relative position between said support structure and said containers and enclosure.

5. A sorting apparatus comprising:

a. a support structure;

b. a housing mounted to said support structure, said housing having an opening to receive serially a plurality of devices to be sorted and another opening at a lower vertical height for ejecting serially the sorted plurality of devices;

c. a partition connected to said housing having a fixed portion and a rotatable portion, said rotatable portion being movable between two positions in response to a signal for directing said devices along different paths;

d. means for receiving a signal and for moving said rotatable portion of said partition in response thereto; and

e. a plurality of containers removably supported by said support structure at a lower vertical height than said housing for receiving sorted devices;

f. said partition comprising two fixed portions and two rotatable portions providing selectively three different paths within said housing, each of said rotatable portions comprising a bushing and two extending arms, said arms being disposed at an obtuse angle relative one another;

g. said plurality of containers comprising three containers,

each container corresponding to one of said three different paths,

one of said arms of each said rotatable portion being shorter than the other of said arms, said devices making first contact with the longer of said arms, sliding along said longer arm to said shorter arm which is at a greater angle from a vertical reference plane than said longer arm whereby said devices are slowed before dropping into one of said three containers. 

1. A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising: a support structure a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups; said enclosure comprising opposite spaced parallel walls having inside plane surfaces and side edge walls between said spaced parallel walls; mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions having opposite edges parallel to and adjacent the respective inside plane surfaces, said partitions being operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said partitions, said spaced parallel walls and said side edge walls together forming said paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to a signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto, whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers, said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths.
 2. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electric actuated members comprise a rotary solenoid mounted on one of said opposite spaced parallel walls and a shaft on the solenoid extending from the respective spaced parallel wall into operative engagement with said axial portion.
 3. A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising: a support structure; a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure, an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups, mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to A signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto, whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers, said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths, said movable partitions each comprising a bushing and two extending arms each connected to said bushing, said arms having side faces receptive to said product disposed at an obtuse angle from one another whereby to change the direction of movement of said product while passing in engagement with said movable partition.
 4. A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising: a support structure; a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure; an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups, mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to a signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto, whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths, said support structure and supporting means for said containers being connected together as a unit, and a vertically movable and tiltable adjustable connection between said support structure and said supporting means for changing the relative position between said support structure and said containers and enclosure.
 5. A sorting apparatus comprising: a. a support structure; b. a housing mounted to said support structure, said housing having an opening to receive serially a plurality of devices to be sorted and another opening at a lower vertical height for ejecting serially the sorted plurality of devices; c. a partition connected to said housing having a fixed portion and a rotatable portion, said rotatable portion being movable between two positions in response to a signal for directing said devices along different paths; d. means for receiving a signal and for moving said rotatable portion of said partition in response thereto; and e. a plurality of containers removably supported by said support structure at a lower vertical height than said housing for receiving sorted devices; f. said partition comprising two fixed portions and two rotatable portions providing selectively three different paths within said housing, each of said rotatable portions comprising a bushing and two extending arms, said arms being disposed at an obtuse angle relative one another; g. said plurality of containers comprising three containers, each container corresponding to one of said three different paths, one of said arms of each said rotatable portion being shorter than the other of said arms, said Devices making first contact with the longer of said arms, sliding along said longer arm to said shorter arm which is at a greater angle from a vertical reference plane than said longer arm whereby said devices are slowed before dropping into one of said three containers. 